AN

APOLOGY FOR CERTAIN GENTLEMEN,

IN THE

UNIVERSITY OF OXFORD,

ASPERSED IN A LATE ANONYMOUS PAMPHLET ;

WITH

A short POSTSCRIPT concerning another Pamphlet, lately published by the Rev. Mr. HEATHCOTE.

EXODUS XX. 16.

Thou shalt not bear false witness against thy neighbour.

PREFACE

ΤΟ

THE SECOND EDITION.

BETWEEN the years 1750 and 1760, there were at the University of Oxford a set of Gentlemen, whose studies in Divinity and Natural Philosophy procured them the name of Hutchinsonians. They were then, and are still (though not so much as formerly), spoken against with more than ordinary contempt and acrimony; as if they were the most mistaken in their opinions, and the most dangerous in their attempts, of any men that ever infested the Christian church: which being so strange a thing in an age tender to all persuasions, and affecting universal candour, there must have been something very new and singular in the case, to have raised such an unaccountable alarm. Even archbishop Secker (then bishop of Oxford) who certainly was a good and charitable man, had his prejudices against them; which he expressed in a Charge to his clergy at a visitation; but it is now pretty well known, that his opinion was greatly altered upon this subject, long before the time of his death.

Upon these Gentlemen a name was imposed very unfairly, because it marked them out as a party; a bad thing in itself; and in consequence of which some are made answerable for the faults of others. The whole affair is curious; and in justice calls for a more impartial examination; such as it may possibly meet with in these times, when the outrageous wickedness of the world has brought all honest and good men nearer together; and united them in one great struggle against barbarians, who are the sworn enemies of truth, wisdom, and humanity.

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Great offence was taken against the Hutchinsonians, because they expressed their doubts in regard to some commonly received opinions in Natural Philosophy. In this there could be no great sin there are no articles of faith in Natural Philosophy; except it be this one, that God was the maker of the world. The world itself is open to all; and a very difficult subject it is; about which learned men will differ after all their inquiries; and they should be indulgent to the

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errors, or reputed errors, of each other, as they affect to be in higher subjects. The best of Sir Isaac Newton's friends, and the most capable of following him in his speculations, have had, and still have, their doubts and those of no small importance. He was accused of introducing the old, useless doctrine of occult qualities: he provided against it by his Ether; but for this he is blamed more than ever. The learned Professor of Edinburgh, who has lately done so much service to the public by unveiling the darkest and blackest conspiracy that ever disgraced the annals of the world, finding that this æther has had its share in the greatest errors of the time, calls it a whim, invented in an unhappy hour, when its author was under provocation; by which he paved the way for much of the atomical philosophy (the atheistic Materialism) of the moderns *. The fact, it is to be feared, is too much according to the learned Professor's report, how ill soever it may agree with reason: but let it be as it will, it seems to be a worse blot than any Hutchinsonian ever cast upon the memory of Newton. This accident is to be lamented; because his Æther has been thought to lessen the objection against his Qualities, and to give his whole philosophy a nearer alliance to the real powers of nature, particularly to those which discover themselves to us in electricity; on which consideration, many philosophers who certainly are not atheists, would have been glad to keep it, and make the most of it. If Newton suffers under abuses and ill reports, well may the name of Hutchinson be expected to labour under a load of reproach and misrepresentation. That he was without exception, the gentlemen who approved his principles never thought. They well knew that his doctrines wanted a great deal of sifting; though his general principles were good, and will stand the test of discussion so long as men shall be inclined to dispute, that is, to the end of the world.

Things, we know, are not to be voted right or wrong from their alliance to persons: but let any wise and learned man consider soberly the character of Bishop Horne, such as it was when he was a young Master of Arts; and he cannot but conclude, there must have been something very great, and very inviting, in the doctrines which could engage so much of the attention of so excellent a man: and though we shall be told perhaps, with a view to his justification, that time changed his opinions; it does not appear, that he ever departed from any single doctrine defended in this book: therefore we are confident the republication of it can do no harm. Some young students, of whom their friends may justly conceive great hopes,

* See Proofs of a Conspiracy, &c. by J. Robison, p. 484, 3d Edit.

having heard that such a cause was once pleaded by such a man, and being not able to procure the book, wish for an opportunity of seeing what he then said, and of judging of it for themselves: which liberty no man will deny them. If they should be told, that the controversy is now out of date, we can assure them that it is not; and that no time will lessen the importance of the doctrines then disputed and defended. Some will always be found, who will never like them. If infidels and sceptical critics know their interest as such, they will expect no good to their cause from the imitators of Bishop Horne; who will teach them a forcible way of reasoning, against which no infidel will be able to keep his ground. Among many excellent things here to be found, nothing hurtful is intermixed; nothing contrary to good sense, sound learning, or the faith of the church of England. Let no man, therefore, who loves the church or the government (which God preserve!) be afraid of any harm from such young men as may be struck with the matter of this pamphlet. They will make good subjects, good churchmen, and good Christians: and their learning, if they should be diligent, will give them a rank above the common rate of scholars; for they will not ramble in their reading, as those scholars are too apt to do who have no certain objects before them. If their objects are fixed, none of their time will be lost; and, if those objects are great and valuable, beyond all others, and partly new, or placed in a new light, their curiosity will rise, and their affections be strongly interested: and from such a beginning they may hereafter be great, and useful, and good men, such as are now much wanted in the world. We are at this time under great alarm infidelity, always destructive to itself and others, hath lately arisen under a new and hideous form in France, like a dæmon from the infernal pit; armed with new weapons, and animated with new malignity; to spread disorder and ruin over the whole world. Who would not rejoice, if old truth and good learning could be seen to rise up in England, under some new and attractive form, to awaken and invite the indifferent, to enlighten the ignorant; to add wisdom to the wise, and strength to the active? O let not this be a vain vision! It might, and it would be realized, if the truth, and learning, and piety displayed in this Apology, were to prevail and become fashionable in this kingdom.

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May 3d, 1799.